Learning Outcomes
Child Life Subprogram
Graduates will:
- demonstrate an understanding of developmental and psychosocial needs of children and families in health care settings and the assessment, planning, implementation, and documentation of developmentally appropriate child life interventions;
- demonstrate an understanding of stressful life experiences and coping techniques for children and families from a family systems perspective;
- demonstrate the ability to maintain relationships with children, families, peers, and an approach to teamwork and collaboration skills;
- demonstrate an understanding of therapeutic play and creating a therapeutic environment with opportunities in health care and community settings;
- demonstrate effective oral and written communication and strong critical thinking skills;
- learn to analyze and present research and evidenced-based practice related to children and families;
- prepare for the role of a certified child life specialist in hospitals and community-based facilities; and
- successfully complete a child life practicum, child life internship, and meet all requirements and pass the certification exam.
Clinical Exercise Physiology Subprogram
Graduates will:
- demonstrate comprehensive understanding of normal and abnormal cardiovascular, respiratory, and exercise physiology;
- demonstrate comprehensive understanding of pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of action, indication, contraindication, and names of common cardiac, vascular, metabolic, pulmonary, hematological, and neurological drugs;
- demonstrate comprehensive understanding of physical activity assessment, the major determinants of physical activity behaviors, and the application of physical activity behavior change strategies;
- demonstrate comprehensive understanding of metabolic exercise testing and exercise prescription for healthy adults;
- demonstrate understanding of beginning and intermediate electrocardiography (ECG), exercise testing, and exercise prescription for adults with cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic disease;
- demonstrate competency in clinical skill, including taking health screening, heart rate pulse, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry at rest and during exercise;
- understand basic research methods, study design, and statistical analysis; and
- read, interpret, and critique scientific papers in clinical exercise physiology.
M.S. in Health and Human Physiology Without Subprogram
Graduates will:
- demonstrate understanding and critical evaluation of the scholarly literature in the area of specialization within human physiology and/or health promotion;
- formulate testable research questions and hypotheses resulting in proper experimental study design and analysis plan;
- conduct quantitative or qualitative research including data collection, analysis, and interpretation of results in the context of current scientific knowledge; and
- present scientific results to the department, University, or regional/national scientific community.
The Master of Science program in health and human physiology requires 30-36 s.h. of graduate credit. Required credit varies by subprogram: the child life subprogram requires a minimum of 36 s.h. and is offered without thesis; the clinical exercise physiology subprogram requires a minimum of 32 s.h. and is offered without thesis; the M.S. program in health and human physiology requires a minimum of 30 s.h. and is offered with thesis.
Students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. after earning a master's degree should choose the M.S. in health and physiology program with thesis.
Child Life Subprogram
The child life subprogram provides expertise in child development through services to support families and to promote children's mastery of life experiences, particularly children's health care events. Professionals in this area enhance effective coping skills through play, education, communication, and family-centered care. The program prepares students to meet credentialing requirements. For more information about the profession, visit the Association of Child Life Professionals.
In order to be admitted to the subprogram, students must:
- hold a B.S. or B.A. degree with a g.p.a. of at least 3.00;
- have completed one course each in human anatomy, medical terminology, and two courses in child development that focus on children and adolescents;
- have verification of 100 hours of paid or volunteer experience in child life or in a pediatric setting; and
- three letters of recommendation, with at least one from a credentialed child life specialist.
Students who have not completed an introductory course in child life must enroll in TR:1077 Introduction to Child Life during their first semester.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official test scores to verify English proficiency. Applicants can verify English proficiency by submitting official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test (DET).
Students who pursue the child life subprogram must successfully pass comprehensive exams in the last semester prior to their child life internship. The comprehensive exam committee works with each student to develop exam questions.
The M.S. in health and human physiology with the child life subprogram requires the following coursework (minimum of 36 s.h.).
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| PSQF:4143/STAT:4143 | Introduction to Statistical Methods | 3 |
| TR:5165 | Child Life: Child Development and Healthcare Interventions | 3 |
| TR:5166 | Child Life: Seminar | 3 |
| TR:5167 | Child Life Practicum | 3 |
| TR:5211 | Professional Ethics and Practice in Pediatrics | 3 |
| TR:5260 | Play and Childhood | 3 |
| TR:5261 | Family Systems | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| CSED:4131 | Loss, Death, and Bereavement | 3 |
| SSW:3786/ASP:3786 | Death/Dying: Issues Across the Life Span | 3-4 |
| One of these: | ||
| HHP:6020 | Advanced Research Methods and Ethics | 1-3 |
| TR:5205 | Research Methods and Play Behavior | 3 |
Internship
The supervised internship requires 600 contact hours with a certified child life specialist.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| TR:5270 | Child Life Internship | 9 |
Clinical Exercise Physiology Subprogram
The clinical exercise physiology subprogram provides an advanced scientific and clinical education. It prepares students to be allied health professionals who work in the application of physical activity and behavioral interventions for clinical diseases and health conditions including cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, orthopedic, neuromuscular, immunologic, and hematologic diseases.
In order to be admitted to the subprogram, students must:
- hold a B.S. or B.A. degree with a g.p.a. of at least 3.00; and
- have completed anatomy and physiology with laboratories (8 s.h.).
The Master of Science with the clinical exercise physiology subprogram requires the following coursework (minimum of 33 s.h.).
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| HHP:6030 | Physical Activity and Dietary Behavior Change | 3 |
| HHP:6150 | Advanced Clinical Exercise Physiology (consult advisor for semester hours required) | 1,3 |
| HHP:6200 | Instruction in Metabolic Exercise Testing and Prescription | 4 |
| HHP:6260 | Advanced Respiratory Pathophysiology (consult advisor for semester hours required) | 1,3 |
| HHP:6410 | Advanced Exercise Physiology (consult advisor for semester hours required) | 1,3 |
| HHP:6460 | Advanced Cardiovascular Physiology (consult advisor for semester hours required) | 1,3 |
| PCOL:3101 | Pharmacology I: A Drug's Fantastic Journey | 3 |
Statistics Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these introductory courses (or equivalent): | ||
| BIOS:4120 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| PSQF:6242 | Selected Applications of Statistics | 3 |
| STAT:3510/IGPI:3510 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| STAT:4143/PSQF:4143 | Introduction to Statistical Methods | 3 |
Research Methods Course
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| HHP:6020 | Advanced Research Methods and Ethics | 2 |
Internship
Students complete an individually arranged internship, usually during their second year, earning at least 3 s.h. of credit.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| HHP:5935 | Clinical Exercise Physiology Internship | 3-6 |
General Elective Courses
With advisor approval, students choose elective coursework that enhances their concentration in human and exercise physiology, clinical exercise physiology, prescriptive exercise and training for health and fitness, health maintenance, and understanding human disease.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HHP:4400 | Health Promotion Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| HHP:4405 | Health Promotion Community and Worksite Practicum | 1 |
| HHP:4420 | Planning and Evaluating Health Interventions | 3 |
| HHP:5200 | Epidemiology of Physical Activity | 3 |
| HHP:6050 | Advanced Topics in Obesity | 3 |
| HHP:6130 | Advanced Skeletal Muscle Physiology | 1,3 |
| HHP:6300 | Motor Control Seminar | 1 |
| HHP:6400 | Integrative Physiology Seminar | 1 |
| HHP:6470 | Advanced Physiology of Aging | 1,3 |
| HHP:6500 | Seminar in Health Promotion | 1 |
| HHP:6510 | Advanced Energetics in Health and Disease | 1,3 |
| HHP:7300 | Advanced Sensorimotor Neurophysiology | 1,3 |
| ACB:5203 | Gross Human Anatomy for Graduate Students | 5-6 |
| EPID:6350 | Nutritional Epidemiology | 2 |
| EPID:6360 | Nutrition Intervention in Clinical Trials Research | 2 |
| PSY:3010 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| PSY:3340 | Behavior Modification | 3 |
| PTRS:6224 | Activity-Based Neural and Musculoskeletal Plasticity in Health Care | 4 |
| PTRS:7812 | Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurement | 3 |
| PTRS:7875 | Analysis of Activity-Based Neural and Musculoskeletal Plasticity | 3 |
M.S. in Health and Human Physiology with Thesis
The health and human physiology program requires a thesis. Students who intend to earn a Ph.D. after completing the master's degree should choose this program. In order to be admitted, students must hold a B.S. or B.A. degree with a g.p.a. of at least 3.00.
The Master of Science program in health and human physiology requires the following coursework (minimum of 30 s.h.).
Introductory Statistics Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| BIOS:4120 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| PCOL:5204 | Basic Biostatistics and Experimental Design | 1 |
| PSQF:6242 | Selected Applications of Statistics | 3 |
| STAT:3510/IGPI:3510 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| STAT:4143/PSQF:4143 | Introduction to Statistical Methods | 3 |
Advanced Statistics Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| BIOS:5120/IGPI:5120/STAT:5610 | Regression Modeling and ANOVA in the Health Sciences | 3 |
| STAT:6513/PSQF:6243 | Intermediate Statistical Methods | 3 |
Research Methods Course
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| HHP:6020 | Advanced Research Methods and Ethics | 3 |
Seminar Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two enrollments (1 s.h. each) chosen from these: | ||
| HHP:6300 | Motor Control Seminar | 1 |
| HHP:6400 | Integrative Physiology Seminar | 1 |
| HHP:6500 | Seminar in Health Promotion | 1 |
General Elective Courses
Students choose elective courses that broaden their knowledge in health and human physiology and related disciplines, and enhance their knowledge in their specific areas of interest, with guidance from their advisor/mentor; electives may include the following.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HHP:3050 | Obesity: Causes, Consequences, Prevention, and Treatment | 3 |
| HHP:3440 | Physical Activity Interventions | 3 |
| HHP:3450 | Immunology in Health and Disease | 3 |
| HHP:4020 | Health Communication and Coaching Strategies | 3 |
| HHP:4320 | Nutrition Interventions | 3 |
| HHP:4390 | Understanding Human Disease | 3 |
| HHP:4450 | Human Genetics and Disease | 3-4 |
| HHP:5200 | Epidemiology of Physical Activity | 3 |
| HHP:6000 | Research | arr. |
| HHP:6030 | Physical Activity and Dietary Behavior Change | 3 |
| HHP:6050 | Advanced Topics in Obesity | 3 |
| HHP:6130 | Advanced Skeletal Muscle Physiology | 1,3 |
| HHP:6150 | Advanced Clinical Exercise Physiology | 1,3 |
| HHP:6200 | Instruction in Metabolic Exercise Testing and Prescription | 1,4 |
| HHP:6260 | Advanced Respiratory Pathophysiology | 1,3 |
| HHP:6410 | Advanced Exercise Physiology | 1,3 |
| HHP:6460 | Advanced Cardiovascular Physiology | 1,3 |
| HHP:6470 | Advanced Physiology of Aging | 1,3 |
| HHP:6510 | Advanced Energetics in Health and Disease | 1,3 |
| HHP:7300 | Advanced Sensorimotor Neurophysiology | 1,3 |
| ACB:5203 | Gross Human Anatomy for Graduate Students | 5-6 |
| BMB:3110 | Biochemistry | 3 |
| EPID:4400 | Epidemiology I: Principles | 3 |
| EPID:6350 | Nutritional Epidemiology | 2 |
| EPID:6400 | Epidemiology II: Advanced Methods | 4 |
| EPID:6600 | Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases | 3 |
| MPB:5153 | Graduate Physiology | 4 |
| PTRS:7812 | Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurement | 3 |
| PTRS:7875 | Analysis of Activity-Based Neural and Musculoskeletal Plasticity | 3 |
Thesis
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| HHP:7500 | Thesis: M.S. | 4 |
Admission to the department's graduate programs is based on grade-point average, and score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). International students also can submit acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the Duolingo English Test (DET).
Applicants to the M.S. program must have an undergraduate g.p.a. of at least 3.00. They also must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
Application deadline is February 1 for admission the following fall.
The Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.
Sample Plans of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Health and Human Physiology, M.S.
- Child Life Subprogram
- Clinical Exercise Physiology Subprogram
- Health and Human Physiology with Thesis
Child Life Subprogram
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 36 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| TR:5165 | Child Life: Child Development and Healthcare Interventions | 3 |
| TR:5260 | Play and Childhood | 3 |
| TR:5261 | Family Systems | 3 |
| TR:6200 | Child Life Graduate Forum | 0 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSQF:4143 or STAT:4143 |
Introduction to Statistical Methods or Introduction to Statistical Methods |
3 |
| TR:5166 | Child Life: Seminar | 3 |
| TR:5167 | Child Life Practicum | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSED:4131 or SSW:3786 |
Loss, Death, and Bereavement or Death/Dying: Issues Across the Life Span |
3 |
| TR:5205 or HHP:6020 |
Research Methods and Play Behavior or Advanced Research Methods and Ethics |
3 |
| TR:5211 | Professional Ethics and Practice in Pediatrics | 3 |
| TR:6200 | Child Life Graduate Forum | 0 |
| Final Exam b | ||
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| TR:5270 | Child Life Internship c | 9 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- a
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- b
- Written four-hour exam covering three areas: research, child life practice, and case study analysis.
- c
- Supervised internship; requires 600 contact hours with a certified child life specialist.
Clinical Exercise Physiology Subprogram
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 33 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HHP:6020 | Advanced Research Methods and Ethics | 2 |
| HHP:6200 | Instruction in Metabolic Exercise Testing and Prescription | 4 |
| HHP:6460 | Advanced Cardiovascular Physiology | 3 |
| Elective course or Statistics requirement b, c | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| HHP:6030 | Physical Activity and Dietary Behavior Change | 3 |
| HHP:6150 | Advanced Clinical Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| HHP:6260 | Advanced Respiratory Pathophysiology | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HHP:6410 | Advanced Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| PCOL:3101 | Pharmacology I: A Drug's Fantastic Journey | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| HHP:5935 | Clinical Exercise Physiology Internship d | 3 |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Final Exam f | ||
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
- a
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- b
- If statistics course completed as an undergraduate, may be waived upon approval; otherwise choose one introductory course from BIOS:4120, PSQF:6242, STAT:3510/IGPI:3510, STAT:4143/PSQF:4143 and work with faculty advisor to determine which course to take.
- c
- Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate elective coursework and sequence.
- d
- May complete in summer of year one or during year two of the program.
- e
- Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate elective coursework and sequence. Note: may complete a 2nd HHP:5935 Internship instead of a 2nd elective.
- f
- Written one-day (4-6 hour) exam.
Health and Human Physiology with Thesis
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 30 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HHP:6000 | Research | 3 |
| HHP:6020 | Advanced Research Methods and Ethics | 3 |
| Elective course b | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Introductory Statistics course c | 1 - 3 | |
| Seminar course d | 1 | |
| Elective course b | 3 | |
| Elective course b | 2 | |
| Hours | 7-9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HHP:6000 | Research | 3 |
| Seminar course d | 1 | |
| Elective course b | 3 | |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| Advanced Statistics course e | 3 | |
| HHP:7500 | Thesis: M.S. | 4 |
| Final Exam: Thesis Defense | ||
| Hours | 7 | |
| Total Hours | 30-32 | |
- a
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- b
- Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate coursework and sequence.
- c
- Choose one course from BIOS:4120, PCOL:5204, PSQF:6242, STAT:3510/IGPI:3510, STAT:4143/PSQF:4143.
- d
- Choose from HHP:6300, HHP:6400, HHP:6500; enroll two times for 1 s.h. each.
- e
- Choose one course from BIOS:5120/IGPI:5120/STAT:5610, STAT:6513/PSQF:6243.